NHL Player News

Lyubushkin notched an assist, two blocked shots and two PIM in Wednesday's 4-3 shootout win over the Sabres.

Lyubushkin has gotten steady playing time down the stretch in the absence of other defensemen. The blueliner ended his 10-game point drought with a helper on a Mavrik Bourque tally in the first period. Lyubushkin was scratched 11 times during the slump, which suggests he'll be a part-time player at best once Miro Heiskanen (lower body) returns. Lyubushkin ends the regular season with nine points, 33 shots on net, 40 PIM, 68 hits and 90 blocked shots over 53 appearances.

Hughes (illness) will fly with the team for Game 1 in Dallas, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.

Hughes missed Tuesday's game versus Anaheim, as the Wild chose to rest their outstanding defenseman ahead of the postseason. While Hughes flew with the team, his status for Game 1 is up in the air. The defenseman finished the 2025-26 regular season with seven goals and 69 assists in 74 games split between Vancouver and Minnesota. He quarterbacks the first power play and has two goals and 34 points with the man advantage this season. Consider him day-to-day at this time.

Spurgeon (rest) was part of the second defensive pairing during Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll be back in action for the start of the playoffs.

After resting in two of the final three games of the regular season, Spurgeon's participation in Thursday's practice signals that he should officially be back in action for the playoffs. Spurgeon logged six goals, 16 assists, 137 blocked shots and 82 hits while averaging 19:36 of ice time across 79 regular-season appearances this year.

Kaprizov (rest) was on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit for Thursday's practice, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Kaprizov was given the Wild's last two games off in order to rest up for a postseason run. In his last seven outings, the Russian winger has found the back of the net seven times, including a pair of goals against the Stars on April 9. He'll need to continue to produce at that level in order to get Minnesota past Dallas in its first-round series.

Hartman (rest) participated in Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll be back in action for the start of the playoffs.

Hartman's availability for the start of the postseason isn't particularly surprising, as his absences in Minnesota's final two regular-season games were for rest purposes. Hartman generated 23 goals, 20 assists, 95 blocked shots, 64 hits and 48 PIM while averaging 16:45 of ice time across 76 regular-season appearances this year.

Stankoven missed practice Thursday with an illness, according to Chip Alexander of The Raleigh News & Observer.

Stankoven ended the season on an eight-game scoring streak, potting seven goals and four assists. Stankoven set career highs in goals with 21 and assists with 23, playing in 81 regular-season games. His status for the first game of the playoffs should become clearer by Saturday.

Foligno (rest) was in attendance for Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

After sitting out the Wild's last two games, Foligno was back on the ice ahead of Game 1 versus the Stars. The veteran winger failed to reach the 20-point mark for the first time since 2018-19, in part due to the fact that he saw action in just 56 games this year. Without a role on the power play, combined with slotting into a spot in the bottom six, Foligno is unlikely to offer significant value in most postseason pools.

Faber (rest) was part of the top defensive pairing during Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he'll be available for the start of the playoffs.

Faber sat out Minnesota's final two regular-season games for rest purposes, but he was fully expected to be back in action for the start of postseason play. Faber appeared in 80 regular-season games this year, racking up 15 goals, 36 assists, 148 blocked shots, 39 PIM and 33 hits while averaging 24:41 of ice time.

Eriksson Ek (rest) was on the ice for Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.

Eriksson Ek sat out the final three regular-season games for the Wild, but he should be good to go for Game 1 in Dallas. The Swedish center was rolling offensively prior to his stint in the press box, racking up two goals and five helpers in his last seven appearances. He figures to jump right back into a second-line role and should feature with the man advantage as well.

Boldy (rest) skated on the second line during Thursday's practice session, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports, indicating that he should be back in action for the start of the playoffs.

Boldy rested in Minnesota's final two regular-season games, but his participation in Thursday's practice session signals that he should officially be available for Game 1 of the first round. Boldy made 76 regular-season appearances this year, logging 42 goals, 43 assists, 60 hits, 58 blocked shots and 30 PIM while averaging 20:34 of ice time.